HOCKEY

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14051, 2 May 1919, Page 5

HOCKEY

THE SEASON'S PROSPECTS. WAIKATO ASSOCIATION MEETS The annual meeting of the Waikato Hockey Association was held in Messrs Gaze and Co.'s- rooms last evening. Mr W. G. Fabling occupied the chair. The annual report showed that the 1918 season was very successful on the whole. One great disadvantage the report referred to was the had state of the ground, which considerably affected the standard of play. Three teams took part in the Wednesday competition, viz.. United and High School (two). A seven a-side tournament, plaved on June 3rd, resulted in a win for* High School, who also won the Hooper Cup in the mid-week competition. Outside matches were played with Cambridge, Mt. Eden at Auckland. «nd University at Hamilton. Several other offers of games had to be reused owing to the impossibility o»" ■getting teams to travel on Saturdays. With the advent of the Saurday halfholiday that difficulty will now beover- ■ come.' The finances of the association were materially assisted by the generosity of the theatre Royal Company, who donated the half proceeds of a ■ picture .entertainment. During the new season the association will be <-alled-unon to defend tlie 'Nordern Cup, "the competition for which was suspended during the war. It would re- ■ quire the best efforts to retain possession of that coveted trophy, but the •future prospects were bright and could he looked forward to with success. Th" '-"port in conchulinc. pointed out that Mr. Hatch, a ChristehHirch referee, "had donated a challenge cup for competition in the public schools, and possibilities were held out of forming a •school grade here for participation in "that competition. The report and balance-sheet, the latter showing a credit of £2 9s 6d, were adopted. THE PROSPECTS. In dealing further with the prospects for ' e coming season the chairman said that the Xorclen Cup team was the best'thev ever had here, hut only ohe; •or two of these players were now available. Matches" for the sbjeld and;-•clip we; p- to be resumed, and it was J incumbent upon them to get active and -defend their title. The cup games had 1 proved- a marked source of "income to the association in the past, and had also kept the interest in'hockrvVip to la high pitch. With the : advent of the 'Saturd\v -half-holiday *here was no rpasoti whv the game -should not go ahead. It all depended upon the enof the players- A certain amoent of leeway had been lost dur- ' in" the war, and they had that to make tap', but if thev all worked enthusiasticallv he was sure that the game would attain to its js'ev.ious high. standard in the Waikato. He pointed oKifc.that the competitions would not commence •before early June, and that the opportunity was available in the interval to put the required activity into their efforts. , ■ ■■' ,:•■'. The chairman stated that only two -grounds were available for their games and the ladies competition, which meant that they would be handicapped to some extent* He thought that it -would be impossible to get a school team away to Christchurch to take part in the proposed challenge cup ..ramp: this season. If some local enthusiasts would give a trophy they could start a schools' competition here. ' The association's finances were limited, •-and it was not in the position to do • so. Mr. Hunter said that he was prepared to donate a shield for schools ./competition, and his offer was accepted -H-ith thanks. . ' '. t On'the chairman's motion a subcommittee consisting of Messrs. Hun-iter-Laver-and Fabling was to approach the headmasters of the primary schools with the object of ar•;ran«ing the competition. The following officers were elected : 'President Mr. E. Wilson; vice-presi-,dents, Messrs H. Fraser, A. P. Hyde, T?. Wbitten; secretary and treasurer. ■ 'Mr- C H. LavT; committee, two dele-, gates from each of the affiliated clubs. fht> Association's next meeting was ffixed "for Mav 9. Meantime inquiries : - will be set afoot and full information gathered fs to the number of clubs that rill be available for the coming season. Vote.c of *hanks were accorded re- ,- tiring office-bearers. LADIES' GAME. gn,„ r.-v~\y : .Ticr team will represent ' Hamilton in a match to be played with Nonnin<; -to-morrow, at Seddon Park, at 2.30 urn.—M. Lnwson, B. Fletcher, K. Newell, L. Newell, P. Harrington. M. Richmond! F. Rchofield, W. Hodgkinson. Mi Pule, N. Atchison. F. Newell. F.mergcrvies•: —. Minney. M. Dowd.